Sandra A. Ortmann, 84 years old, of Remsen, IA died Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Bavarian Meadows in Remsen, IA.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions there will be a private Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday at St. Mary’ Catholic Church in Remsen with Father William McCarthy officiating. Family graveside services will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Remsen. Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.
Sandy was born on May 17, 1935, in Omaha, NE., to Lawrence and Dulces (Goebel) Schaefer. She was raised in Hartington, NE., and graduated from Mt. Marty High School in Yankton SD., in 1953. She then attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City where she met Donald Ortmann. They were united in marriage on Sept. 7, 1954. Together, they farmed and raised a family in the Remsen area. Sandy returned to college and graduated from Westmar College in LeMars, IA., in 1985.
Sandra was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, Christian Mothers, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Board, and St. Mary’s Catholic School Board. She enjoyed volunteering for Hospice and the American Cancer Society for over 20 years.
Sandra was an honorable woman, devoted to her faith and family. Grateful for sharing Sandra’s life are her children, Barb (Tim) Vonnahme of Las Vegas, NV, Cathy (Bob) Fleming of Bloomington, IL, Donna Murphy of Boise, ID, Trish (Tim) Ortmann of Boise, ID, Helen (Don) Seibel of West Des Moines, IA, Joan (Richard Rubesch) Ortmann of Wesley Chapel, FL, Maggie (Ben) Hoffmann of Minnetonka, MN, Bill (Brenda) Ortmann of Remsen, Amy Ortmann of Sioux Falls, SD; son-in-law, Mark (Joli) Bruggeman of Larchwood, IA; 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-laws, Jeanette Koch of Remsen, Betsy Ortmann of Festus, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald, her daughter, Julie Bruggeman, son-in-law, Jay Murphy, her parents, her brother, L. Thomas Schaefer, her mother and father-in-law, Henry and Regina (Dalhoff) Ortmann, and in-laws, Joe (Eileen) Ortmann, Fr. Bill Ortmann, Dr. Lou Ortmann and Melvin Koch.
During this time of Covid 19 the family ask that friends refrain from sending gifts and flowers. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church or St. Mary's Catholic School.